Kenyan Basketball teams braced for All Africa games qualifiers in Kampala

Basketball enthusiasts in Kenya and Africa are ready to feed the eyes with basketball glamour albeit the start of all Africa games qualifiers in Kampala Uganda.

Kenyan teams, both men and women categories, will be competing in the games slated to bounce off on Wednesday to July 1 at Lugogo stadium Kampala.

The first batch of players for both men and women left for Uganda on Monday while the next set will link up with their teammates today.

The teams had pitched camp at Nyayo stadium for two weeks of training in preparation for the qualifiers.  The task ahead for the Kenyan teams is no easy as they will be fighting for the one slot available in zone five championships.

The battle brings together teams from 11 countries in zone five championships among them host Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the current AFCON hosts Egypt.

The women’s’ basketball charge received a boast upon the arrival of Felmas Adhiambo a student based in the US. Adhiambo trained with the squad on Saturday after being cleared by her doctor from her knee injury.

Aside from Adhiambo, the women’s’ team consist of a vast combination of players playing for the local leagues and those pilling their trade outside the country. Among them include Mercy Wanyama who plays in Spain and point guard Rose Ouma who plies his trade in Dubai.

The men’s team also proud itself with big names like US-based power forward Ronnie Gundo, Demons Owili who plays in Australia as well as Tylor Okari who is based in Denmark.

According to Kenya Basketball Federation KBF chairman Paul Otula, the 24 players of both men and women are braced for the challenge in Kampala and are ready to shine in the tournament. The team received best of the wishes from former KBF chairman Maurice Alwanga who treated them for a send-off luncheon on Sunday.

“We have done what we could as a federation and now it is upon the players to do the rest and make us proud,” stated Otula during the send-off.

The men’s team will be under the stewardship of coach Cliff Owuor and Carey Odhiambo while the women will be under the instructions of Evelyne Kedogo and coach Ronny Owino. Other leaders companying the Kenyan squad is the KBF fixture secretary Joseph Amoko as the leader of the delegation and Maxim Milimu on the capacity of teams’ overall manager.

Kenyan teams
Women:
Samba Mjomba, Mercy Wanyama, Rose Ouma, Debbie Obunga, Selina Okumu, Betty Kananu, Melissa Akinyi, Hilda Luvandwa, Clara Rotich, Christine Akinyi, Vilma Achieng, Mercy Wanyama, Felmas Koranga.

Head coach: Ronnie Owino. Deputy: Evelyne Kedogo

Men
Griffin Ligare, Valentine Nyakinda, Ariel Okal, James Mwangi, Eric Mutoro, Mike Makiadi, Brian Namake, Victor Ochieng, Ronnie Gundo, Desmond Owili, Taylor Okari, Bush Wamukota, Fahim Juma.

Head Coach: Cliff Owuor. Deputy: Carey Odhiambo.